The Permit Center

UPDATE 5/4/2020: Permit and Inspection Services during the Shelter in Place Order

On April 29, Contra Costa County Health Office issued new Shelter in Place (SIP) Order, which allowed all construction activities to resume effective May 4, 2020. Based on parameters set forth in the new SIP order, City Hall Offices and the Permit Center is currently closed to the public until further notice. See below for detailed services we are offering remotely.

The City of Walnut Creek is accepting Online and Electronic Building Permit applications and performing plan reviews electronically for all types of projects, this includes issuance for all types of permits.

An issued permit shall strictly follow the construction safety protocols listed in the appendix B-1 (small construction projects) or appendix B-2 (large construction projects) of the new SIP Order. Violations of the County Shelter in Place Order will be reported to the Walnut Creek Police Department. See the County ExecutiveSummary.

NOTE: On April 17, 2020, the Health Officer of the County of Contra Costa issued a Public Health Order requiring people to wear face coverings in certain circumstances, for guidance visit here.

For all other projects that may not qualify for online services, Electronic submittal options are available:

Applicant to provide PDF files of plans (signed and stamped), T-24 documents, Structural Calculations and any other specifications or information your project may require. One PDF file per each category. If the PDF documents exceed 25MB, a link for staff to download the documents is required.

The PDF documents or links may be submitted via email to: buildingtech@walnut-creek.org along with a new Permit Application Form here for new building permit applications, or a Revision Application Form here for recheck submittals or permit revision applications.

For new building permit applications, instructions for payment will be emailed to the applicants within 3 business days upon receipt of the applications.

Plan reviews are being performed electronically, and while we are doing our best to meet our standard review times, please allow for some flexibility while the SIP is still in place.

BUILDINGINSPECTIONS

TheCityisperforminginspectionson all projects per the most recent County Health Order dated April 29, 2020.

Any construction project meeting any of the following specifications is subject to the Large Construction Project Safety Protocol (“LCP Protocol”), including public works projects unless otherwise specified by the Health Officer:

For residential construction projects, any single-family, multi-family, senior, student, or other residential construction, renovation, or remodel project consisting of more than 10 units.

For commercial construction projects, any construction, renovation, or tenant improvement project consisting of more than 20,000 square feet of floor area.

For construction of Essential Infrastructure, as defined in section 16.c of the Order, any project that requires five or more workers at the jobsite at any one time.

Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) specifically for use in construction, including gloves, goggles, face shields, and face coverings as appropriate for the activity being performed. At no time may a contractor secure or use medical-grade PPE, unless required due to the medical nature of a job site. Face Coverings must be worn in compliance with Section 5 of the Health Officer’s Order, dated April 17, 2020, or any subsequently issued or amended order.

Implement social distancing requirements.

Implement a COVID-19 community spread reduction plan as part of the Site-Specific Health and Safety Plan.

Assign a COVID-19 Safety Compliance Officer (SCO) to the jobsite and ensure the SCO’s name is posted on the Site-Specific Health and Safety Plan.

Assign a COVID-19 Third-Party Jobsite Safety Accountability Supervisor (JSAS) for the jobsite, who at a minimum holds an OSHA-30 certificate and first-aid training within the past two years, who must be trained in the protocols herein and verify compliance, including by visual inspection and random interviews with workers, with this LCP Protocol.

Every effort must be taken to minimize contact between workers and residents, including maintaining a minimum of six feet of social distancing at all times.

All elements of the Order shall be followed to receive Inspection Services. For complete details of allrequirements for large construction projects, please use this link: Large Construction Project Safety Protocol

Small Construction Project Safety Protocol

Any construction project meeting any of the following specifications is subject to this Small Construction Project Safety Protocol (“SCP Protocol”), including public works projects unless otherwise specified by the Health Officer:

For residential projects, any single-family, multi-family, senior, student, or other residential construction, renovation, or remodel project consisting of 10 units or less. This SCP Protocol does not apply to construction projects where a person is performing construction on their current residence either alone or solely with members of their own household.

For commercial projects, any construction, renovation, or tenant improvement project consisting of 20,000 square feet of floor area or less.

For mixed-use projects, any project that meets both of the specifications in subsection 1.a and 1.b.

All other construction projects not subject to the Large Construction Project Safety Protocol set forth in Appendix B-2.

Comply with all applicable and current laws and regulations including but not limited to OSHA and Cal-OSHA.

Designate a site-specific COVID-19 supervisor or supervisors to enforce this guidance. A designated COVID-19 supervisor must be present on the construction site at all times during construction activities. A COVID-19 supervisor may be an on-site worker who is designated to serve in this role.

The COVID-19 supervisor must review this SCP Protocol with all workers and visitors to the construction site.

Establish a daily screening protocol for arriving staff to ensure that potentially infected staff do not enter the construction site.

Practice social distancing by maintaining a minimum six-foot distance between workers at all times, except as strictly necessary to carry out a task associated with the construction project.

Where construction work occurs within an occupied residential unit, separate work areas must be sealed off from the remainder of the unit with physical barriers such as plastic sheeting or closed doors sealed with tape to the extent feasible.

Where construction work occurs within common areas of an occupied residential or commercial building or a mixed-use building in use by onsite employees or residents, separate work areas must be sealed off from the rest of the common areas with physical barriers such as plastic sheeting or closed doors sealed with tape to the extent feasible.

Prohibit gatherings of any size on the job site.

All elements of the Order shall be followed to receive Inspection Services. For complete details of allrequirements for small construction projects, please use this link: Small Construction Project Safety Protocol

BUILDINGCODEENFORCEMENT

The City is continuing to perform Building Code Enforcement for life-safety related items.

2019 California Building Codes Go into Effect January 1, 2020The California Building Standards Commission updates the State building codes every three years. The 2019 codes were published on July 1, 2019 and will become applicable to all building permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2020. Building permit applications submitted on or prior to 4pm on December 23, 2019 are under the 2016 codes.

At the Permit Center, City staff from our Building, Planning, and Engineering divisions work together to ensure code compliance and enhance the quality of development projects throughout the community. The Permit Center is intended to answer frequently asked questions as well as provide comprehensive overviews of the development review, building permit review, and grading permit (site development) review processes to help you understand what is required at concept, construction, and completion.

What Permits You Will Need and How Much They Will Cost?

Learn about what permits you will need and how much they will cost by using the business portal Open Counter

How Does the Permitting Process Work?

Where Can I Find Permit Forms?

Retaining Wall, Grading, and Site Work Requirements

A Site Development Permit is required for grading, drainage, street improvements, site improvements, parking lot modifications, and any landscaping required by the Design Review Commission. The Engineering Services staff will need specific information to evaluate the scope of work. [more]

New Commercial or Multi-Family Residential Building Process

Information to provide an overview of the requirements to construct a new Commercial or Multi-Family Residential building. [more]

Developers: Cul-de-Sac Diameters and Roadway Design Standards

In November 2009, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2084 revising the Municipal Code concerning fire equipment access, roadway, and cul-de-sac design standards. Please contact the Engineering Division via email or at (925) 943-5839 for the latest news and information concerning the revisions.

About Permitting

Watch this video to find out what permits you may need for your project and how the City of Walnut Creek can help you through the process.